SIR FRANCIS DRAKE AND THE PLYMOUTH CORPORATION. 473 
or its equivalent in current value—as the return for an outlay of 
a few hundreds only at the outside, while the Corporation suffered 
a yearly recurring deficit. Neither Drake nor his heirs paid any 
rent for the leat mills; but the Corporation charged £4 4s. 4d. 
additional with the Surpool Mills as rent of the two closes of land 
on which the leat mills in the town were built, having to pay 
43s, 4d. themselves as rent for the part of Baron’s close on which 
the middle mill was erected. 
There is further evidence of the value of the Drake lease in the 
fact that in 1628 the Corporation paid £1,500—equal to £7,500 
now—for a moiety thereof as an endowment for the Hospital of 
Orphans Aid, when it had 32 years to run. And in 1641-2 the 
tithe of the mills paid by the Orphans Aid is set down at £10. 
We can readily understand why the Corporation entered into 
this onesided arrangement. They were anxious for the water ; 
they were anxious also, as the accounts over a series of years 
abundantly show, to stand well with their powerful neighbours. 
Drake they unquestionably held in great respect, giving him and 
his “lady,” as they did to John Hawkins, Raleigh, and other 
distinguished persons, sundry dinners.* Though under the Act 
* This will be illustrated by the following extracts : 
1582-3 Itm paide for the entertaynment of St frauncis Drake 
knighte when his ladie came firste xi 
1584-5 The Mayor had £5 for the “dyett”’ of Tees ane S ae 
ladye” and other Justices; while Mr. Hawkins had £4 and 
Martin White £8 Ils, 4d. for “ de walter rae diett. % 
sees 
st Fraunces Drake : = | a}® vit 
1588-9 £4 18s. were paid Mr. Harris for Drake “hand Sir John 
Norris and other gentlemen dining with the Mayor. Drake 
and Norris were then setting out on their expedition to 
Portugal, and bought sundry calivers and pikes of the 
town. We read also :— 
Item for sending of Sir Frauncis Drakes warrante to 
Plympton and to Millbroke and for wache and ward for 
staieng of marine’s and souldie’’ . vj 
1591-2 Itm pd for a dynnt to St Fr@unce Trak hie 
Comynge from London and his ladye and other pan 
men and others of the towne. ae 
The same year a £3 supper given to “St Walter [Raleigh] 
and his company” and others. 
1587-8 Itm pd to Edwarde Fentwill for carryenge a Confession 
vnto St Walter Rawley wth was taken of one aot out 
of Spaigne. oy js wily? 
Itm pd to M Ric Hawkins ee a Silver Cuppe wh was 
geiven to the Ld. warden [Raleigh] . . xijt 
